A/C Compressor PAG Oil Application Chart

Copyright AA1Car

Automotive air conditioning compressors require specific types of lubricants. Most 1996 and newer A/C systems use R134a refrigerant and require some type of PAG (polyalkylene glycol) oil for the compressor. If the wrong type of compressor oil or the wrong viscosity compressor oil is used, it may damage the compressor. In fact, the main reason for a newly installed A/C compressor to fail is using the wrong type of compressor oil.

PAO (Polyalphaolefin) oil can sometimes be used as a substitute for certain PAG oils if the compressor manufacturer approves it.

CAUTION: PAG oils should NEVER be used in hybrid vehicles because it is electrically conductive. POE (polyol ester) oil is usually specified for hybrid cars that have electrically-driven A/C compressors because it is non-conductive. Using the wrong oil may allow current to short circuit back through the A/C compressor, creating a shock hazard.

Mineral oil should only be used in older R-12 A/C compressors because R-12 will not mix with R-134 refrigerant.

"Universal" A/C compressor oils are often PAO-based and are not the same viscosity as the PAG oil recommended for a specific type of compressor. This can lead to poor lubrication and premature compressor failure.

Newer vehicles with R-1234yf A/C systems require a special 1234yf compressor oil specified by the vehicle manufacturer. General Motors recommends GM lubricants only (PAG-PSD1 #19260643 for 2013/14 Cadillac XTS, and PAG-ND12 #19299051 for 2013 Cadillac ATS). Universal compressor oils should NOT be used in R-1234yf applications.

PAG Oil Recommendations for Various Compressors

The following is a list of recommended lubricants by compressor manufacturer. you can identify the compressor mfr. by looking for an ID tag or label on the unit (or see the reference illustrations at the right and left):

Compressor Identification

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Compressor Model and Recommended PAG Oil:

Bosch Axial.........................PAG 100

Calsonic CR14.......................PAG 46

Calsonic CWV6.......................PAG 46

Calsonic DKV........................PAG 100

Calsonic V5.........................PAG 150

Calsonic V6.........................PAG 46

Chrysler A590.......................PAG 46

Chrysler C171.......................PAG 46

Chrysler RV2........................PAG 100

Denso 10P...........................PAG 46

Denso 10S...........................PAG 46

Denso 10SRE18.......................PAG ND-8

Denso 2C............................PAG 100

Denso 6C............................PAG 46

Denso 6CA...........................PAG 46

Denso 6E............................PAG 46

Denso 6P............................PAG 46

Denso 6SB...........................PAG 46

Denso 7SB...........................PAG 46

Denso SC08..........................PAG 46

Denso TV............................PAG 100

Ford FS10...........................PAG 46

Ford FS6............................PAG 46

Ford VF2............................PAG 46

GM A6...............................PAG 150

GM HR/HT............................PAG 150

GM R4...............................PAG 150

GM V5...............................PAG 150

GM V7...............................PAG 150

Hadsys HS-090L......................PAG 46

Hadsys RC17.........................PAG 46

Hitachi (all models)................PAG 46

Keihin (all models).................PAG 100

Matsushita (all models).............PAG 46

Mitsubishi (all models).............PAG 46

Nihon DKV...........................PAG 100

Nihon NVR...........................PAG 100

Panasonic (all models)..............PAG 46

Sanden Electric.....................SE-10Y

Sanden SD5..........................PAG 100

Sanden SD7 (key shaft)..............PAG 100

Sanden SD7 (splined shaft)..........PAG 46

Sanden SD7V.........................PAG 46

Sanden TR...........................PAG 46

Sanden TRF..........................PAG 46

Sanden TRS..........................PAG 46

Seiko-Seiki (all models)............PAG 100

Tecumseh (all models)...............PAG 100

Visteon RS-18.......................PAG VC-46

York (all models)...................PAG 100

Zexel DCV...........................PAG 100

Zexel DCW...........................PAG 46

Zexel DKP...........................PAG 100

Zexel DKS...........................PAG 46

Zexel DKV...........................PAG 100

Zexel TM............................PAG 46

Some Vehicle Specific A/C Compressor Lubricant Recommendations:

2000 - 2012 Honda Accord (Denso)....ND Oil 8

2000 - 2006 Honda Insight...........PAG 46

2005 - 2009 Honda Civic (Sanden)....SP 10 PAG 46

2004 - 2009 Nissan Maxima/Altima....Type S (DH-PS) PAG 46

2001 - 2003 Toyota Prius............PAG 46

2004 - 2012 Toyota Prius............ND Oil 11

1997 - 2012 Toyota Camry............ND Oil 8

A/C Compressor Oil Capacities

If you are replacing a compressor or other A/C system component, it is important to replace any compressor oil that has been lost when parts are changed. The total system oil capacity for many late model passenger car A/C systems is only about 4 ounces (120 ml). A low oil level can starve the compressor for oil and lead to compressor failure.

CAUTION: Do NOT overfill the the A/C system with too much compressor oil. Too much oil can hurt cooling performance.

Use the following guidelines for replacing compressor oil when changing A/C components:

The total amount of oil added to compensate for parts that have been replaced should NOT exceed the total oil capacity of the system. If you don't know what the total oil capacity is, check the underhood A/C service decal or look up the information in the OEM service literature.